U.S. patent application number 14/532615 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-07 for printing apparatus and printing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Kazuyuki FUJIOKA, Keiji MATSUMOTO, Tomoki SHINODA.
Application Number | 20150124034 14/532615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53006735 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150124034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SHINODA; Tomoki ; et
al. |
May 7, 2015 |
PRINTING APPARATUS AND PRINTING METHOD
Abstract
A printing apparatus includes a removal portion that removes
attached materials attached to a printing surface by coming in
contact with the printing surface of a printing medium; a pressing
portion that presses the printing surface with which the removal
portion is in contact; and a liquid ejecting portion that performs
printing by ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface
pressed by the pressing portion.
Inventors: |
SHINODA; Tomoki;
(Shiojiri-shi, JP) ; FUJIOKA; Kazuyuki;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) ; MATSUMOTO; Keiji;
(Matsumoto-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
53006735 |
Appl. No.: |
14/532615 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
347/104 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B41J 11/0015 20130101;
B41J 3/4078 20130101; B41F 17/38 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
347/104 |
International
Class: |
B41J 11/00 20060101
B41J011/00; B41F 17/38 20060101 B41F017/38 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 6, 2013 |
JP |
2013-230033 |
Claims
1. A printing apparatus comprising: a removal portion that removes
attached materials attached to a printing surface by contacting the
printing surface of a printing medium; a pressing portion that
presses the printing surface with which the removal portion is in
contact; and a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by
ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface pressed by
the pressing portion.
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removal
portion is maintained in the contact state, when the pressing
portion presses the printing surface.
3. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a pressing roller that includes a harder outer peripheral surface
than the printing medium, and is able to rotate in a state in which
the hard outer peripheral surface is in contact with the printing
surface, wherein the pressing portion is formed from the outer
peripheral surface of the pressing roller.
4. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removal
portion is an adhesive portion including an adhesive surface with
adhesiveness provided to be able to contact the printing
surface.
5. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removal
portion is a brush portion that includes a plurality of brush
bristles provided to be able to contact the printing surface.
6. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the removal
portion is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the removal
roller that is able to rotate in a state in which the outer
peripheral surface is in contact with the printing surface.
7. The printing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the removal
roller rotates in a state in which the outer peripheral surface is
in contact with the printing surface, when the pressing portion
presses the printing surface.
8. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a housing portion that holds the removal portion, the pressing
portion, and the liquid ejecting portion; and a mounting portion
that moves relative to the housing portion in a state in which the
printing medium is mounted; wherein the removal portion and the
pressing portion contact the printing surface of the printing
medium mounted on the mounting portion according to the relative
movement.
9. The printing portion according to claim 1, further comprising: a
detector that detects the presence of an obstruction with the
potential to interfere with respect to the liquid ejecting portion
by projecting from the printing surface, on the printing surface
pressed by the pressing portion.
10. A printing method comprising: removing attached materials
attached to the printing surface by a removal portion coming in
contact with a printing surface of a printing medium; pressing the
printing surface after the removal; and ejecting a liquid with
respect to the printing surface, after the pressing in order to
perform printing.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, such
as a printer, and a printing method.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] One example of a printing apparatus is an ink jet textile
printing apparatus that performs printing of a T-shirt by ejecting
ink on a T-shirt that is a material to be printed from an ink jet
head that is a printing execution portion, thereby printing a
design (for example, JP-A-2013-19083).
[0005] Incidentally, in the textile printing apparatus as described
above, when the ink jet head approaches the printing material and
ejects ink, fluff or lint attached to the printing material comes
into contact with the ink jet head, which may lead to ink ejection
defects. At this time, when attached materials, such as fluff,
attached to the printing material adheres to the ink jet head, ink
mist that occurs along with the ejection of ink may condense on the
surface of the attached material and drops onto the printing
material, thereby lowering the printing quality. That is, there is
a problem in that when fluff or the like attaches to the printing
material, a lowering of the quality of printing stemming from the
materials thus attached may occur.
[0006] Such a problem is not limited to a textile printing
apparatus that performs printing on a printing material, and is
generally common in printing apparatuses that perform printing by
ejecting a liquid with respect to a printing medium.
SUMMARY
[0007] An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to provide
a printing apparatus and a printing method capable of suppressing a
lowering of the print quality stemming from attached materials
attached to the printing medium.
[0008] Hereinafter, means of the invention and operation effects
thereof will be described.
[0009] According to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a
printing apparatus including a removal portion that removes
attached materials attached to a printing surface by contacting the
printing surface of a printing medium; a pressing portion that
presses the printing surface with which the removal portion is in
contact; and a liquid ejecting portion that performs printing by
ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface pressed by
the pressing portion.
[0010] According to the configuration, since the attached materials
attached to the printing surface are removed by the removal portion
that contacts the printing surface, it is possible to suppress a
lowering of the print quality stemming from attached materials
attached to the printing medium. Although there is concern of the
printing surface being fluffed, being wrinkled, or the like, and
the condition of the surface thereof being disturbed when the
removal portion comes in contact with the printing surface, it is
possible to flatten the printing surface by a pressing portion
pressing the printing surface which the removal portion contacts.
Since the liquid ejecting portion ejects a liquid with respect to a
printing surface flattened by the pressing of the pressing member,
it is possible to suppress a lowering of the print quality stemming
from contact of the removal portion.
[0011] It is preferable that the printing apparatus further include
a pressing roller that includes a harder outer peripheral surface
than the printing medium, able to rotate in a state in which the
hard outer peripheral surface is in contact with the printing
surface, in which the pressing portion is formed from the outer
peripheral surface of the pressing roller.
[0012] According to the configuration, since the outer peripheral
surface of the pressing roller is harder than the printing medium,
it is possible to flatten the printing surface through the pressing
portion formed from the hard outer peripheral surface pressing the
printing surface. It is possible to reduce the frictional
resistance occurring between the pressing portion and the printing
surface through the pressing roller rotating when the pressing
portion presses the printing surface. Accordingly, it is possible
to suppress disturbance of the printing surface stemming from the
pressing portion contacting the printing medium.
[0013] It is preferable that the printing apparatus further include
an adhesive roller that includes an adhesive outer peripheral
surface and is able to rotate in a state in which an adhesive outer
peripheral surface thereof is in contact with the printing surface,
and in which the removal portion is formed from the outer
peripheral surface of the adhesive roller.
[0014] According to this configuration, since the outer peripheral
surface of the adhesive roller is adhesive, it is possible to
remove the attached materials attached to the printing surface
through the removal portion formed from the outer peripheral
surface with adhesiveness contacting the printing surface. It is
possible to reduce the frictional resistance occurring between the
removal portion and the printing surface through the adhesive
roller rotating when the removal portion contacts the printing
surface. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress disturbance of the
printing surface stemming from the removal portion contacting the
printing medium.
[0015] In the printing apparatus, the adhesive roller rotates in a
state in which the outer peripheral surface comes in contact with
the printing surface, when the pressing portion presses the
printing surface.
[0016] According to the configuration, when the adhesive outer
peripheral surface separates from the printing surface according to
the rotation of the adhesive roller, it is possible to peel the
printing medium from the adhesive roller while suppressing floating
up of the printing medium through the pressing portion pressing the
printing surface.
[0017] It is preferable that the printing apparatus further include
a housing portion that holds the removal portion, the pressing
portion, and the liquid ejecting portion, and a mounting portion
that moves relative to the housing portion in a state in which the
printing medium is mounted, in which the removal portion and the
pressing portion contact the printing surface of the printing
medium mounted on the mounting portion according to the relative
movement.
[0018] According to the configuration, it is possible for the
printing medium mounted on the mounting portion, the removal
portion held by the housing portion, and the pressing portion to
come into contact with each other by the mounting portion moving
relative to the housing portion in a state in which the printing
medium is mounted on the mounting portion.
[0019] It is preferable that the printing apparatus further include
a detector that detects the presence of an obstruction with the
potential to interfere with respect to the liquid ejecting portion
by projecting from the printing surface, on the printing surface
pressed by the pressing portion.
[0020] According to the configuration, it is possible to detect the
presence of an obstruction with respect to such a liquid ejecting
portion before the obstruction, such as attached materials attached
to the printing surface or wrinkles in the printing medium
obstructs the liquid ejecting portion through the detector
performing detection on the printing surface pressed by the
pressing portion.
[0021] According to another aspect of the invention, there is
provided a printing method including removing attached materials
attached to the printing surface coming in contact with a printing
surface of a printing medium; pressing the printing surface after
the removal; and ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing
surface, after the pressing in order to perform printing.
[0022] According to the configuration, it is possible to obtain the
same operation effect as that of the above-described printing
apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] The invention will be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numbers reference like
elements.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a printing apparatus of a
first embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a
mounting portion on which the printing apparatus of the first
embodiment is provided.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus of
the first embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a processing mechanism
provided in the printing apparatus of the first embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus of
a second embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus of
a third embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a printing apparatus of
a fourth embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
[0031] Below, a first embodiment of the printing apparatus will be
described with reference to the drawings. The printing apparatus,
for example, is an ink jet printer (textile printing apparatus)
that performs printing through textile printing by ejecting ink
that is an example of a liquid on the printing surface with the
cloth surface of a fabric (T-shirt), which is an example of a
printing medium, as a printing surface.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 1, the printing apparatus 11 of the
embodiment includes a substantially rectangular box-like housing
portion 12, an accommodation portion 13 protruding from the housing
portion 12, a mounting portion 14 able to reciprocate in a state in
which the printing medium T is mounted, and a transport portion 15
for the mounting portion 14 to be reciprocated.
[0033] In the present embodiment, the direction in which the
accommodation portion 13 protrudes from the housing portion 12 is
referred to as backward, and the direction in which the transport
portion 15 protrudes from the housing portion 12 is referred to as
forward. Along with making the direction in which the transport
portion 15 causes the mounting portion 14 to be moved forward
toward the accommodation portion 13 side from the housing portion
12 side in the movement direction +Y, the direction in which the
transport portion 15 causes the mounting portion 14 to be moved to
return toward the housing portion 12 side from the accommodation
portion 13 side (reverse direction to the movement direction +Y) is
made the movement direction -Y.
[0034] On the front surface side of the housing portion 12, an
opening portion 16 is formed that permits mounting portion 14 to
enter and exit the housing portion 12 when the mounting portion 14
moves along the movement direction Y (+Y, -Y). A space that permits
movement of the mounting portion 14 is formed along the housing
portion 12 and the accommodation portion 13 on the interior of the
housing portion 12 and the accommodation portion 13. The
accommodation portion 13 accommodates the mounting portion 14 in
which the rear end is moved further backward than the housing
portion 12.
[0035] The processing mechanism 26 that performs surface treatment
for preparing the surface state of the printing surface Sf of the
printing medium T prior to subjecting the printing medium T to
printing is held in the vicinity of the opening portion 16 of the
housing portion 12. The processing mechanism 26 includes rotating
support portions 33 and 43, shaft portions 34 and 44 attached to
the tips of the rotating support portions 33 and 43, an adhesive
roller 31, and a pressing roller 41. The adhesive roller 31
includes an adhesive outer peripheral surface 32 and is attached to
the shaft portion 34. The pressing roller 41 includes a harder
outer peripheral surface 42 than the printing medium T, and is
attached to the shaft portion 44.
[0036] The outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31
comes in contact with the printing surface Sf of the printing
medium T prior to printing and functions as a removal portion that
removes attached materials, such as fluff or lint, attached to the
printing surface Sf. The outer peripheral surface 42 of the
pressing roller 41 functions as a pressing portion that presses the
printing surface Sf prior to printing. The adhesive roller 31 is
arranged further to the upstream side in the movement direction +Y
than the pressing roller 41. That is, the processing mechanism 26
performs surface processing that removes attached materials by the
adhesive roller 31 coming in contact with the printing surface Sf
of the printing medium T, and thereafter performs surface
processing in which the pressing roller 41 presses the printing
surface Sf prior to printing in contact with the outer peripheral
surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31.
[0037] It is possible for the adhesive roller 31 to be, for
example, an adhesive tape having an adhesive surface wound around a
core such that the adhesive surface becomes the outer peripheral
surface 32, thus having a roll shape. In a case in which the
adhesive surface of the wound, roll-like adhesive tape is the outer
peripheral surface 32, if the adhesive tape is peeled off, a new
adhesive surface is exposed, thereby restoring the adhesiveness of
the adhesive roller 31.
[0038] The adhesive roller 31 may also be a cylindrical roller with
an adhesive layer formed on the outer peripheral surface 32
thereof. In a case in which the adhesive layer formed on the outer
peripheral surface 32 is the removal portion, it is preferable that
the adhesive roller 31 have an attachable/detachable configuration
with respect to the shaft portion 34, the adhesive roller 31 be
able to be removed from the shaft portion 34, and remove attached
materials attached to the surface of the outer peripheral surface
32.
[0039] The pressing roller 41 is, for example, formed by a metal
material, and able to press the printing surface Sf under its own
weight. In a case in which a strengthened pushing force due to the
pressing roller 41 is desired, the pressing roller 41 may be biased
in a direction approaching the printing surface Sf by a biasing
member, such as a spring. If the pressing roller 41, shaft portion
44 and rotating support portion 43 are made from metal, and the
pressing roller 41 is grounded via the shaft portion 44 and the
rotating support portion 43, it is possible to remove static
electricity generated by the adhesive roller 31 or the pressing
roller 41 contacting the printing medium T.
[0040] The adhesive roller 31 and the pressing roller 41 may be
arranged in the housing portion 12. However, it is preferable that
the adhesive roller 31 be arranged outside the housing portion 12,
since work in which the adhesiveness of the outer peripheral
surface 32 is restored (for example, tasks of peeling off the wound
adhesive tape, attaching and detaching the adhesive roller 31 with
respect to the shaft portion 34) becomes easy.
[0041] In the housing portion 12, the carriage 17 is held in a
state able to reciprocate along the scanning direction X that
intersects (orthogonal direction in the embodiment) both the
vertical direction Z and the movement direction Y. A liquid
ejecting portion 18 able to eject a liquid, such as ink, with
respect to the printing medium T mounted on the mounting portion 14
in the housing portion 12 is mounted on the carriage 17. The liquid
ejecting portion 18 performs printing on the printing medium T by
ejecting a liquid with respect to the printing surface Sf of the
printing medium T that moves in the movement direction -Y along
with the mounting portion 14, and performing textile printing.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting portion 14 includes a
rectangular plate-like mounting stand 21 attached to the upper
portion of the transport portion 15, and a rectangular frame-like
frame member 22 that holds the printing surface Sf in a flat state
by pinching the printing medium T between the frame member 22 and
the mounting stand 21. An opening 23 for exposing the printing
surface Sf is formed in the frame member 22. The printing medium T
is set on the mounting portion 14 by the frame member 22 being
fitted from the printing surface Sf side after the printing medium
T is mounted on the mounting stand 21 so as to cover the mounting
stand 21.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, the processing mechanism 26 includes a
support mechanism 24 that supports the base end side of the
rotating support portions 33 and 43 in a rotatable state. When the
support mechanism 24 moves the mounting portion 14 forward in the
movement direction +Y, the rotating support portions 33 and 43 are
rotated, and the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31 are
positioned at the processing position (position shown by the solid
line in FIG. 3) able to contact the printing medium T. When the
support mechanism 24 moves the mounting portion 14 to return in the
movement direction -Y, the rotating support portions 33 and 43 are
rotated, and the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31 are
positioned at the retracted position (position shown by the double
dotted-dashed line in FIG. 3) not contacting the printing medium
T.
[0044] Inside the housing portion 12, the detector 25 that detects
the presence of an obstruction with respect to liquid ejecting
portion 18 on the printing surface Sf pressed by the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 is arranged further
to the downstream side than the liquid ejecting portion 18 in the
movement direction +Y. When the mounting portion 14 on which the
printing medium T is set moves forward in the movement direction
+Y, the detector 25 detects the presence of an obstruction. The
detector 25 configures the processing mechanism 26.
[0045] The detector 25 is an optical sensor including, for example,
a light projecting portion arranged on one end side of the mounting
portion 14 in the main scanning direction X, and a light sensing
portion arranged at a position able to receive light emitted from
the light projecting portion on the other end side in the main
scanning direction X of the mounting portion 14. The detector 25,
on the one hand, outputs the detection result in which an
obstruction is not present in a case in which the light sensing
portion senses a fixed amount of light or greater when the light
projecting portion emits light, and outputs the detection result in
which an obstruction is present in a case in which the amount of
light detected by the light sensing portion does not satisfy the
fixed amount. The term obstruction refers to, for example, fluff or
lint attached to the printing medium T or fibers or wrinkles of the
printing medium T that project from the printing surface Sf and
have the potential to contact the liquid ejecting portion 18 by
being projected toward the liquid ejecting portion 18 side from the
mounting portion 14 side.
[0046] Since it is better that detector 25 be able to detect the
presence of an obstruction prior to printing, the detector may be
arranged further downstream than the pressing roller 41 in the
movement direction +Y, such as, for example, between the pressing
roller 41 and the liquid ejecting portion 18. However, in a case in
which the detector 25 is an optical sensor, it is more preferable
that the detector 25 be arranged on the interior side separated
from the opening portion 16 inside the housing portion 12, since it
is possible to suppress mis-detections stemming from the influence
of outside light. In the optical sensor, when the light sensing
portion senses outside light, there is concern of a mistaken
detection result that an obstruction is not present being output,
although an obstruction blocks the light emitted by the light
projecting portion.
[0047] Next, the printing process with respect to a printing medium
T subjected to surface processing and surface processing by a
processing mechanism 26 will be described.
[0048] Setting of the printing medium T with respect to the
mounting portion 14 is performed at a set position at which the
entire mounting portion 14 is arranged outside the housing portion
12. When setting of the printing medium T with respect to the
mounting portion 14 is completed, the transport portion 15 causes
the mounting portion 14 to move forward in the movement direction
+Y from the set position. Thus, the rotating support portions 33,
and 43 rotate, and the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller
31 are arranged at a processing position able to contact the
printing medium T.
[0049] When the mounting portion 14 moves relative to housing
portion 12 in a state in which the printing medium T is mounted,
the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 contacts
the printing surface Sf of the printing medium T mounted on the
mounting portion 14 according to the relative movement. When the
outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 contacts the
printing surface Sf, the adhesive roller 31 is driven and rotates
in the counter-clockwise direction (direction indicated by the
arrow in FIG. 3) in FIG. 3 in a state in which the outer peripheral
surface 32 is in contact with the printing surface Sf. In so doing,
according to the rotation of the adhesive roller 31, by adhering
fluff, lint or the like attached to the printing medium T to the
adhesive outer peripheral surface 32, the attached materials are
removed from the printing surface Sf (removal step).
[0050] Continuing from the removal step that removes the attached
materials with the adhesive roller 31, according to the mounting
portion 14 moving relative to the housing portion 12, the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 presses the
printing surface Sf with which the outer peripheral surface 32 of
the adhesive roller 31 comes in contact (pressing step). When the
outer peripheral surface 42 presses the printing surface Sf, the
pressing roller 41 is driven and rotates in the counter-clockwise
direction (direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 3) in FIG. 3 in
a state in which the outer peripheral surface 42 is in contact with
the printing surface Sf. It is preferable that the adhesive roller
31 rotate in a state in which the outer peripheral surface 32 is in
contact with the printing surface Sf, when the outer peripheral
surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 that configures the printing
portion presses the printing surface Sf.
[0051] After the pressing step, according to the mounting portion
14 moving relative to the housing portion 12, the detector 25
detects the presence of an obstruction on the printing surface Sf
pressed by the outer peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller
41 (detection step). In a case in which fraying remains on the
printing surface Sf pressed by the pressing roller 41, or a case in
which the printing medium T becomes wrinkled, the detector 25
outputs the detection results that an obstruction is present.
[0052] When the mounting portion 14 moves to a printing start
position (position indicated by the double dotted-dashed line in
FIG. 3) that is further to the downstream side than the liquid
ejecting portion 18 in the movement direction +Y, the return
movement toward the movement direction -Y starts by reversing the
movement direction.
[0053] In a case in which the detector 25 outputs detection results
in which an obstruction is not present during forward movement of
the mounting portion 14 in the movement direction +Y, printing
(textile printing) is performed by the liquid ejecting portion 18
ejecting liquid with respect to the printing surface Sf of the
printing medium T that moves along with the mounting portion 14
during return movement of the mounting portion 14 in the movement
direction -Y (liquid ejecting step). That is, the liquid ejecting
portion 18 ejects liquid with respect to the printing surface Sf
pressed flat by the pressing roller 41 after the adhesive roller 31
removes the attached materials, thereby performing printing.
[0054] Since the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31 are
arranged at a retracted position not contacting the printing medium
T when the mounting portion 14 moves to return in the movement
direction -Y, contact with the printing surface Sf on which
printing is performed is avoided. Accordingly, the pressing roller
41 and the adhesive roller 31 come in contact with printing surface
Sf while the landed ink on the printing surface Sf is not dried,
and lowering of the print quality does not occur.
[0055] Meanwhile, in a case in which the detector 25 outputs
detection results that an obstruction is present during forward
movement in the movement direction +Y of the mounting portion 14,
the liquid ejecting portion 18 does not eject liquid during return
movement of the mounting portion 14 in the movement direction -Y.
That is, when the fluff or an obstruction on the printing medium T,
or the like, interferes with the liquid ejecting portion 18 during
printing, the print quality is lowered by ejection defect occurring
or ink soiling the printing medium T, thus printing is not
performed, and the printing medium T returns to the set
position.
[0056] In a case the detector 25 detecting wrinkles occurring in
the printing medium T as an obstruction, after the printing medium
T is re-set on the mounting portion 14 that returns to the set
position through forward movement, the printing medium T is caused
to again move forward in the movement direction +Y along with the
mounting portion 14.
[0057] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11 configured
as above will be described.
[0058] When attached materials, such as fluff, are attached to the
printing medium T, the attached materials may become attached to
the liquid ejecting portion 18. When fluff or the like is attached
in this was to the liquid ejecting portion 18, mist accompanying
the ejection of the liquid condenses on the surface of the fluff or
the like and drops onto the printing medium T, thereby causing the
print quality to be lowered. On this point, since the printing
apparatus 11 includes the adhesive roller 31 that removes the
attached materials on the printing surface Sf prior to printing,
the attachment of fluff, or the like, with respect to the liquid
ejecting portion 18 is suppressed.
[0059] However, when separated from the printing surface Sf in
contact with the outer peripheral surface 32 having adhesiveness of
the adhesive roller 31, the fibers or the like that configure the
printing medium T are elongated, and the printing surface Sf
becomes fluffed. On this point, since the printing apparatus 11
includes a pressing roller 41 that presses the printing surface Sf,
the fraying of the printing surface Sf caused by contact with the
adhesive roller 31 is suppressed.
[0060] As shown in FIG. 4, when the adhesive roller 31 rotates in
the counter-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 in
the removal step, the printing medium T applied to the outer
peripheral surface 32 further to the downstream side in the
movement direction +Y than the adhesive roller 31 may float off the
mounting stand 21.
[0061] At this time, by the pressing roller 41 pressing the
printing surface Sf while rotating in the counter-clockwise
direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 on the downstream side
in the movement direction +Y of the adhesive roller 31, the
printing medium T is pulled away from the adhesive roller 31, and
floating away from the mounting stand 21 is suppressed. In order to
suppress floating of the printing medium T through the pressing
roller 41, it is preferable that the adhesive roller 31 come in
contact with the printing medium T in a state in which the pressing
roller 41 presses the printing medium T, along with the pressing
roller 41 being arranged close to the adhesive roller 31 in the
movement direction Y.
[0062] In a case in which the printing medium T floats from the
mounting stand 21 due to the adhesive force of the adhesive roller
31, thereby generating wrinkles, the wrinkles in the printing
medium T are extended by the pressing roller 41 pressing the
printing medium T thereafter. In this way, in the pressing step,
the printing surface Sf enters a flat state by the pressing roller
41 pressing the pressing surface Sf prior to printing.
[0063] The rotation of the adhesive roller 31 in the
counter-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 4 in the
removal step may attain a state in which rotation in the same
direction is slightly regulated by a regulating member coming in
contact with the adhesive roller 31. In so doing, it is possible to
anticipate an effect in which the wrinkles in the printing medium T
are extended, along with being possible to reduce floating away of
the printing medium T from the mounting stand 21 due to the
adhesive power of the adhesive roller 31 when contacting the
printing surface Sf.
[0064] In a case in which the attached materials are not removed by
the adhesive roller 31, or a case in which the printing surface Sf
does not attain a sufficiently flat state due to the pressing
roller 41, when the liquid ejecting portion 18 approaches the
printing medium T and ejects the liquid, there is concern of fluff
or lint attached to the printing medium T coming in contact with
the liquid ejecting portion 18, and liquid ejection defects
occurring. When printing is performed on such an unflattened
printing surface Sf, there is concern of droplets deviating from
the landing position in the parts with fraying or wrinkles, thereby
lowering the print quality.
[0065] On this point, since the printing apparatus 11 includes a
detector 25, in a case in which the detector 25 detects a printing
medium T in which fraying or wrinkles remain on the printing
surface Sf as an obstruction, it is possible for the mounting
portion 14 to return to the set position without performing
printing. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid a lowering of the
print quality caused by ejecting liquid to the printing surface Sf
for which the surface state is disturbed by fraying or the
like.
[0066] In a case in which the detector 25 detects an obstruction,
and ejection of ink is not performed when the mounting portion 14
moves to return in the movement direction -Y, the pressing roller
41 and the adhesive roller 31 may come in contact with the printing
surface Sf similarly to the forward movement. It is possible to
eliminate obstructions by removing fluff on the printing surface Sf
through the pressing roller 41 pressing the printing surface Sf, or
the adhesive roller 31 removing attached materials on the printing
surface Sf.
[0067] However, in a case such as the detector 25 detecting
wrinkles occurring in the printing medium T as an obstruction, the
adhesiveness of the outer peripheral surface 32 is needlessly lost
without contributing to the elimination of the obstruction, even if
the adhesive roller 31 is in contact with the printing surface Sf.
Therefore, when the mounting portion 14 moves to return in the
movement direction -Y without performing printing, whereas the
pressing roller 41 makes contact with the printing surface Sf, the
adhesive roller 31 may not come in contact with the printing
surface Sf.
[0068] According to first embodiment, the following effects can be
obtained.
[0069] (1) Since the attached materials attached to the printing
surface Sf are removed by the outer peripheral surface 32 of the
adhesive roller 31 that contacts the printing surface Sf, it is
possible to suppress a lowering of the print quality stemming from
attached materials attached to the printing medium T. Although
there is concern of the printing surface Sf being fluffed, being
wrinkled, or the like, and the condition of the surface thereof
being disturbed when the outer peripheral surface 32 of the
adhesive roller 31 contacts the printing surface Sf, it is possible
to flatten the printing surface Sf by the outer peripheral surface
42 of the pressing roller 41 pressing the printing surface Sf in
contact with the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller
31. Since the liquid ejecting portion 18 ejects a liquid with
respect to a printing surface Sf flattened by the pressing of the
outer peripheral surface 42, it is possible to suppress a lowering
of the print quality stemming from contact of outer peripheral
surface 32.
[0070] (2) Since the outer peripheral surface 42 of the pressing
roller 41 is harder than the printing medium T, it is possible to
flatten the printing surface Sf through the hard outer peripheral
surface 42 pressing the printing surface Sf. It is possible to
reduce the frictional resistance occurring between the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 and the printing
surface Sf through the pressing roller 41 rotating when the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 presses the
printing surface Sf. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress
disturbances in the printing surface Sf that stem from the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 contacting the
printing medium T.
[0071] (3) Since the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive
roller 31 is adhesive, it is possible to remove the attached
materials attached to the printing surface Sf through the adhesive
outer peripheral surface 32 contacting the printing surface Sf. It
is possible to reduce the frictional resistance occurring between
the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 and the
printing surface Sf by the adhesive roller 31 rotating when the
outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 contacts the
printing surface Sf. Accordingly, it is possible to suppress
disturbances in the printing surface Sf that stem from the outer
peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 contacting the
printing medium T.
[0072] (4) When the adhesive outer peripheral surface 32 separates
from the printing surface Sf according to the rotation of the
adhesive roller 31, it is possible to peel the printing medium T
from the adhesive roller 31 while suppressing floating up of the
printing medium T through the outer peripheral surface 42 of the
pressing roller 41 pressing the printing surface Sf.
[0073] (5) It is possible for the printing medium T mounted on the
mounting portion 14, the outer peripheral surface 32 of the
adhesive roller 31 held by the housing portion 12, and the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 to come into
contact by the mounting portion 14 moving relative to the housing
portion 12 in a state in which the printing medium T is mounted on
the mounting portion 14.
[0074] (6) It is possible to detect the presence of an obstruction
with respect to such a liquid ejecting portion 18 before the
obstruction, such as attached materials attached to the printing
surface Sf or wrinkles in the printing medium T obstructs the
liquid ejecting portion 18 through the detector 25 performing
detection on the printing surface Sf pressed by the outer
peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41.
Second Embodiment
[0075] Next, the second embodiment of the printing apparatus will
be described with reference to FIG. 5.
[0076] In contrast to the mounting portion 14 moving relative to
housing portion 12 in the first embodiment, the printing apparatus
11A of the second embodiment differs in that the housing portion
12A moves relative to the mounting portion 14A. Since members to
which the same reference numerals are applied in both embodiments
include the same configuration, description thereof will not be
made, and description will be provided below focusing on the points
of difference from the first embodiment.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 5, the housing portion 12A of the printing
apparatus 11A holds the carriage 17 on which the liquid ejecting
portion 18 is mounted and the processing mechanism 26A, and
reciprocally moves along the movement direction Y (+Y, -Y) with
respect to the mounting portion 14A on which the printing medium T
is mounted. The movement direction +Y is the right direction in
FIG. 5, and the movement direction -Y is the left direction in FIG.
5.
[0078] In the housing portion 12A, opening portions 16A are formed
in two parallel sidewalls in the movement direction Y and a space
is formed that permits relative movement with respect to the
mounting portion 14A in the housing portion 12A. The mounting
portion 14A is arranged so as to pass through the inside of the
housing portion 12A through the opening portion 16A, and has a
mounting surface 14s on which the printing medium T is mounted. In
order to suppress floating of the printing medium T from the
mounting surface 14s, the mounting portion 14A may include
adsorption holes and an adsorption mechanism for the printing
medium T to be adsorbed on the mounting surface 14s.
[0079] The support mechanism 24A that supports the adhesive roller
31 and the pressing roller 41 is held on the outer surface side of
the housing portion 12A, and is arranged to the downstream side in
the movement direction +Y of the housing portion 12A. The adhesive
roller 31 is arranged further to the downstream side in the
movement direction +Y than the pressing roller 41.
[0080] The detector 25 that configures the processing mechanism 26A
is arranged at a position inside the housing portion 12A that is
further to the downstream side in the movement direction +Y than
the liquid ejecting portion 18. In the second embodiment, since the
support mechanism 24A, the adhesive roller 31, and the pressing
roller 41 are arranged outside the housing portion 12A, it is
possible to make the opening portion 16A smaller than in the first
embodiment. Therefore, even if the detector 25 that is an optical
sensor is arranged at a position close to the opening portion 16A,
it becomes difficult for mis-detections stemming from the influence
of outside light to occur.
[0081] The support mechanism 24A is movable along the vertical
direction Z with respect to the housing portion 12A. The support
mechanism 24A supports the adhesive roller 31 via the shaft portion
34 in a freely-rotatable state, and supports the pressing roller 41
via the shaft portion 44 in a freely-rotatable state.
[0082] The support mechanism 24A moves downward in the vertical
direction when the housing portion 12A moves forward in the
movement direction +Y, and is arranged at a processing position at
which the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31 are able to
contact the printing medium T. The support mechanism 24A moves
upward in the vertical direction when the housing portion 12A moves
to return in the movement direction -Y, and is arranged at a
retracted position at which the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive
roller 31 do not contact the printing medium T.
[0083] Next, surface processing by a processing mechanism 26A and
the printing process with respect to a printing medium T subjected
to surface processing will be described.
[0084] In the embodiment, the processing mechanism 26A performs
surface processing on the printing medium T when the housing
portion 12A moves forward in the movement direction +Y. That is,
when the housing portion 12A moves forward in the movement
direction +Y, the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive
roller 31 contacts the printing surface Sf of the printing medium T
mounted on the mounting portion 14A. When the outer peripheral
surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 comes in contact with the
printing surface Sf, the adhesive roller 31 is driven and rotates
in the clockwise direction (direction indicated by the arrow in
FIG. 5) in FIG. 5 in a state in which the outer peripheral surface
32 is in contact with the printing surface Sf. In so doing,
according to the rotation of the adhesive roller 31, by adhering
fluff, lint or the like attached to the printing medium T to the
adhesive outer peripheral surface 32, the attached materials are
removed from the printing surface Sf (removal step).
[0085] After the adhesive roller 31 removes the attached materials,
the outer peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller 41 presses
the printing surface Sf in contact with the outer peripheral
surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31 (pressing step). When the
outer peripheral surface 42 presses the printing surface Sf, the
pressing roller 41 is driven and rotates in the clockwise direction
(direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5) in FIG. 5 in a state
in which the outer peripheral surface 42 is in contact with the
printing surface Sf.
[0086] After the pressing step, according to the mounting portion
14A moving relative to the housing portion 12A, the detector 25
detects the presence of an obstruction on the printing surface Sf
pressed by the outer peripheral surface 42 of the pressing roller
41 (detection step). In a case in which fraying remains on the
printing surface Sf pressed by the pressing roller 41, or a case in
which the printing medium T becomes wrinkled, the detector 25
outputs the detection results that an obstruction is present.
[0087] The removal step, pressing step and detection step are
performed according to the forward movement of the housing portion
12A, and when the detector 25 passes through the printing surface
Sf, surface processing by the processing mechanism 26A finishes. In
a case in which the detector 25 outputs a detection result that an
obstruction is not present during the forward movement of the
housing portion 12A in the movement direction +Y, the housing
portion 12A reverses movement direction and begins return movement
toward the movement direction -Y. During return movement of the
housing portion 12A in the movement direction -Y, the pressing
roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31 retract to a retracted
position not contacting the printing medium T by the support
mechanism 24A moving upward in the vertical direction.
[0088] During return movement of the housing portion 12A in the
movement direction -Y, printing (textile printing) is performed by
the liquid ejecting portion 18 ejecting liquid with respect to the
printing surface Sf of the printing medium T mounted on the
mounting portion 14A (liquid ejection step).
[0089] During forward movement of the housing portion 12A in the
movement direction +Y, in a case in which the detector 25 outputs a
detection result that an obstruction is present, the housing
portion 12A may not move to return. That is, in the second
embodiment, since the printing medium T is exposed on the outside
of the housing portion 12A when the forward movement of the housing
portion 12A finishes, it is possible to perform elimination of the
wrinkles, or the like, detected as an obstruction without
performing return movement.
[0090] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11A configured
as above will be described.
[0091] Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first
embodiment, along with being able to remove attached materials on
the printing medium T through the adhesive roller 31, it is
possible to flatten the printing surface Sf prior to printing with
the pressing roller 41. It is possible to detect an obstruction
with respect to the liquid ejecting portion 18 with the detector
25.
[0092] When the adhesive roller 31 rotates in the clockwise
direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 in the removal step, on
the upstream side in the movement direction +Y of the adhesive
roller 31, the printing medium T adhered to the outer peripheral
surface 32 may float from the mounting surface 14s. At this time,
by the pressing roller 41 rotating in the clockwise direction
indicated by the arrow in FIG. 5 on the upstream side in the
movement direction +Y of the adhesive roller 31, the printing
medium T is peeled from the adhesive roller 31 and floating from
the mounting surface 14s is suppressed.
[0093] According to the second embodiment, in addition to the same
effects as (1) to (6) above, it is possible to obtain the effects
as outlined below.
[0094] (7) Since the pressing roller 41 and the adhesive roller 31
are arranged outside the housing portion 12A, for example, it is
possible to easily perform tasks such as restoring the adhesiveness
of the outer peripheral surface 32 of the adhesive roller 31.
[0095] (8) Since the support mechanism 24A, the pressing roller 41
and the adhesive roller 31 are arranged outside the housing portion
12A, it is not necessary to enlarge the configuration inside the
housing portion 12A in order to add a function of performing
surface processing to the processing mechanism 26A.
Third Embodiment
[0096] Next, a third embodiment of the printing apparatus will be
described with reference to FIG. 6.
[0097] The printing apparatus of the third embodiment differs from
the first embodiment in that the liquid ejecting portion performs
the printing process and the processing mechanism that is not
moving performs surface processing with respect to the printing
surface of the printing medium transported in the transport
direction. Since members to which the same reference numerals are
applied in both embodiments include the same configuration,
description thereof will not be made, and description will be
provided below focusing on the points of difference from the first
embodiment.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 6, the printing apparatus 11B includes a
housing portion 12B that holds a carriage 17, a transport mechanism
45 that transports the long printing medium T in the transport
direction F, and a processing mechanism 26B arranged further to the
upstream side in the transport direction F than the housing portion
12B. The opening portion 16B is formed in two parallel sidewalls in
the transport direction F in the housing portion 12B, and a space
that permits the printing medium T to pass through is formed in the
housing portion 12B.
[0099] The transport mechanism 45 includes a support shaft 46, a
mounting portion 14B arranged having a mounting surface 14s further
to the downstream side in the transport direction F than the
support shaft 46, and a transport roller 47 for transporting the
printing medium T arranged on the mounting surface 14s. The
mounting portion 14B is arranged so as to pass through the inside
of the housing portion 12B through the opening portion 16B.
[0100] The printing medium T is formed in a roll shape wrapped
around the support shaft 46 and the front end side unwound from the
support shaft 46 is mounted on the mounting surface 14s of the
mounting portion 14B. The transport roller 47, for example, is
arranged in a state in which the printing medium T is able to be
pinched between the transport roller 47 and the mounting surface
14s further to the downstream side than the housing portion 12B in
the transport direction F. When the transport roller 47 rotates in
the counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 6, the printing medium T
mounted on the mounting surface 14s is transported in the transport
direction F, and the printing medium T is unwound by the support
shaft 46 rotating in the clockwise direction in FIG. 6.
[0101] In the processing mechanism 26B of the embodiment, the
housing portion 12B and the mounting portion 14B are configured as
separate bodies. The processing mechanism 26B includes a support
member 55, a removal member 51, a pressing member 61 and the
detector 25. The removal member 51, pressing member 61 and the
detector 25 are supported by the support member 55. The pressing
member 61 is arranged further to the downstream side in the
transport direction F than the removal member 51, and the detector
25 is arranged further to the downstream side in the transport
direction F than the pressing member 61.
[0102] The removal member 51 is a rotating brush that includes a
base portion 54 that functions as a rotary shaft having a
cylindrical outer peripheral surface, and a brush portion 52 having
a plurality of brush bristles arranged standing over the entire
outer peripheral surface of the base portion 54. In the embodiment,
the brush portion 52 configures the removal portion. In a case in
which the removal portion is made a brush portion 52, it is
possible for the function of removing attached materials from the
printing medium T to be restored through recovering the fluff or
the like attached to the brush portion 52.
[0103] The brush portion 52 may be formed by directly implanting
brush bristles in the base portion 54, or may be formed by a pile
in which pile yarn is formed incorporated in a foundation cloth
being used as the brush bristles, and the foundation cloth in which
such a pile is arranged to stand being attached to the base portion
54. In a case of making the pile incorporated in the foundation
cloth the brush bristles, pile yarn (loop pile) formed in a loop
shape may be used as it is as the brush bristles, or a cut pile in
which the loop parts of the pile yarn are cut may be used as the
brush bristles.
[0104] The pressing member 61 is harder than the printing medium T,
has a pressing surface 62 with a smooth surface, and the pressing
surface 62 functions as a pressing portion. The pressing member 61
is configured by a material with a high thermal conductivity, such
as a metal, and a heat generating element 64 is arranged on the
opposite side of the pressing surface 62.
[0105] Next, surface processing by a processing mechanism 26B and
the printing process with respect to a printing medium T subjected
to the surface processing and will be described.
[0106] In the embodiment, the processing mechanism 26B performs
surface processing with respect to the printing medium T
transported in the transport direction F by the transport mechanism
45. That is, when the printing medium T moves relative to the
processing mechanism 26B in the transport direction F, the brush
portion 52 of the removal member 51 contacts the printing surface
Sf of the printing medium T.
[0107] At this time, the removal member 51 that is a rotating brush
regulates the rotation of the base portion 54 or is rotated in the
clockwise direction in FIG. 6. Thus, fluff or lint attached to the
printing surface Sf is swept away, and removed from the printing
surface Sf by the tips of the brush bristles that configure the
brush portion 52 catching on the surface of the printing medium T
when the brush portion 52 contacts the printing surface Sf (removal
step).
[0108] The brush bristles that configure the brush portion 52 are
able to effectively remove fluff or link attached to the printing
medium T by the tips thereof being inclined toward the upstream
side in the transport direction F. When the tips of the brush
bristles that configure the brush portion 52 are inclined toward
the upstream side in the transport direction F, a force acts on the
printing medium T in the reverse direction to the transport
direction F. Therefore, it is possible to anticipate an effect of
extending the wrinkles in the printing medium T by the brush
portion 52 contacting the printing surface Sf.
[0109] The pressing surface 62 of the pressing member 61 presses
the printing surface Sf in contact with the brush portion 52, after
the removal step (pressing step). When the pressing surface 62
presses the printing surface Sf, heat is transferred from the heat
generating element 64 to the pressing member 61, and thereby
fraying or wrinkles in the printing surface Sf are effectively
eliminated by heating.
[0110] After the pressing step, the detector 25 detects the
presence of an obstruction on the printing surface Sf pressed by
the pressing member 61 (detection step). In a case in which fraying
remains on the printing surface Sf, or a case in which the printing
medium T becomes wrinkled, the detector 25 outputs the detection
results that an obstruction is present.
[0111] In a case in which the detector 25 outputs detection results
in which an obstruction is not present, printing (textile printing)
is performed by the liquid ejecting portion 18 ejecting liquid with
respect to the printing surface Sf of the printing medium T
flattened by the pressing of the pressing surface 62 (liquid
ejecting step). Meanwhile, when the detector 25 outputs the
detection results in which an obstruction is present, the transport
mechanism 45 stops the transport of the printing medium T, and the
liquid ejecting portion 18 stops ejection of the liquid.
[0112] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11B configured
as above will be described.
[0113] The brush portion 52 that functions as a removal portion in
the embodiment does not easily lower in ability to remove attached
materials compared to a removal portion that removed attached
materials through adhesion. Since a force acts on the printing
medium T in the reverse direction to transport direction F through
the brush portion 52 contacting the printing surface Sf, it is
possible to perform the pressing step in a state in which the
wrinkles in the printing medium T are straightened.
[0114] When the wrinkles are straightened in the reverse direction
to the transport direction F by such a brush portion 52, there is
concern of the printing medium T becoming slack on the upstream
side in the transport direction F due to the brush portion 52 if
the support shaft 46 is rotated in order to transport the printing
medium T. Therefore, in a case in which the transport force due to
the transport roller 47 is made stronger than the transport force
due to the support shaft 46 or surface processing or printing
process is performed, it is preferable that the support shaft 46 be
driven and rotate without being driven to rotate.
[0115] In the pressing step, although there is concern of the
printing medium T being creased when the wrinkles or warped
printing medium T is pressed, it is possible to reduce the concern
thereof by performing the pressing after the wrinkles in the
printing medium T are straightened by the brush portion 52.
[0116] The printing apparatus 11B, the wrinkles in the printing
medium T are straightened between the pressing surface 62 and the
transport roller 47 by the transport roller 47 rotating and driving
further to the downstream side in the transport direction F than
the pressing surface 62 in a state in which the pressing surface 62
presses the printing medium T. Since the liquid ejecting portion 18
is between the pressing surface 62 and the transport roller 47 in
the transport direction F, it is possible to perform printing on
the printing medium T in which the wrinkles are straightened in
this way.
[0117] In a case in which a gap is provided between the processing
mechanism 26B and the housing portion 12B in the transport
direction F and the detector 25 detects an obstruction, it may be
possible for the work of eliminating the wrinkles in the printing
medium T to be performed with a gap between the processing
mechanism 26B and the housing portion 12B.
[0118] Alternatively, in a case in which the detector 25 detects an
obstruction, the surface processing may be performed again by
transporting the printing medium T in the transport direction F
after the recording medium T is rewound by the support shaft 46
being rotated in the counter-clockwise direction in FIG. 6. In a
case in which the printing medium T is transported in the reverse
direction to the transport direction F, or a case in which the
printing medium T is fed in the transport direction F without
performing surface processing, the transport of the printing medium
T is not obstructed if the removal member 51 that is a rotating
brush is driven and rotates.
[0119] According to the third embodiment, in addition to the same
effects as (1) and (6) above, it is possible to obtain the effects
as outlined below.
[0120] (9) Since the processing mechanism 26B is provided as a
separate body to the housing portion 12B and the transport
mechanism 45, it is possible to perform surface processing on the
printing medium T without modifying the configuration of the
printing apparatus 11B.
Fourth Embodiment
[0121] Next, a fourth embodiment of the printing apparatus will be
described with reference to FIG. 7.
[0122] In the first embodiment, with respect to the removal portion
and the pressing portion being the outer peripheral surface of the
roller that is a rotating body, the printing apparatus of the
fourth embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the
removal portion and the pressing portion are a brush portion having
brush bristles. Since members to which the same reference numerals
are applied in both embodiments include the same configuration,
description thereof will not be made, and description will be
provided below focusing on the points of difference from the first
embodiment.
[0123] The printing apparatus 11C of the present embodiment
includes a substantially rectangular box-like housing portion 12C,
a mounting portion 14C able to reciprocate in a state in which the
printing medium T is mounted, and a transport portion 15 for the
mounting portion 14C to be reciprocated. The carriage 17 on which
the liquid ejecting portion 18 is mounted and the processing
mechanism 26C are accommodated in the housing portion 12.
[0124] The transport portion 15 moves the mounting portion 14C
forward in the movement direction +Y, when the processing mechanism
26C performed surface processing on the printing medium T. The
transport portion 15 moves the mounting portion 14C to return in
the movement direction -Y, when the liquid ejecting portion 18
ejects liquid with respect to the printing medium T to perform
printing. An opening portion 16C that permits the mounting portion
14C to enter and exit the housing portion 12C when the mounting
portion 14C moves along the movement direction Y (+Y, -Y) is formed
in the housing portion 12C.
[0125] The processing mechanism 26C includes a support mechanism
24C, removal member 71, a pressing member 81 arranged further to
the downstream side in the movement direction +Y than the removal
member 71, a pressing roller 91 arranged further to the downstream
side in the movement direction +Y than the pressing member 81, and
a detector 25 arranged further to the downstream side in the
movement direction +Y than the pressing roller 91. The support
mechanism 24C holds the removal member 71, the pressing member 81,
the pressing roller 91 and the detector 25.
[0126] The removal member 71 includes a rotating shaft 73 supported
on the support mechanism 24C to be able to rotate, a plate-like
base portion 74 supported on the rotating shaft 73, and a brush
portion 72 having a plurality of brush bristles arranged standing
on one surface side of the base portion 74. In the present
embodiment, the brush portion 72 configures the removal
portion.
[0127] The pressing member 81 includes a rotating shaft 83
supported on the support mechanism 24C to be able to rotate, a
plate-like base portion 84 supported on the rotating shaft 83, and
a brush portion 82 having a plurality of brush bristles arranged
standing on one surface side of the base portion 84. In the present
embodiment, the brush portion 82 configures the first pressing
portion. It is preferable that the brush portion 82 that is a
pressing portion have a higher contact pressure with respect to the
printing medium T than the brush portion 72 that is a removal
portion.
[0128] The pressing roller 91 includes a harder outer peripheral
surface 92 than the printing medium T, and a rotating shaft 93.
Both ends of the rotating shaft 93 are accommodated in long holes
95 extending in the vertical direction Z formed in the support
mechanism 24C. The outer peripheral surface 92 of the pressing
roller 91 configures the second pressing portion. The pressing
roller 91 is supported by the support mechanism 24C in a state of
being rotatable via the rotating shaft 93.
[0129] When the support mechanism 24C moves the mounting portion
14C forward in the movement direction +Y, the rotating shafts 73
and 83 are rotated, and when the brush portions 72 and 82 are
positioned at the processing position (position indicated by the
solid line in FIG. 7) able to contact the printing medium T, the
rotating shaft 93 is moved downward along the long hole 95, and the
pressing roller 91 is arranged at the processing position (position
indicated by the solid line in FIG. 7) able to contact the printing
medium T. When the brush portion 72 is arranged at the processing
position, the brush bristles that configure the brush portion 72
enter a state in which the tips thereof are inclined toward the
upstream side in the movement direction +Y. When the brush portion
82 is arranged at the processing position, the brush bristles that
configure the brush portion 82 enter a state in which the tips
thereof are inclined toward the downstream side in the movement
direction +Y.
[0130] When the support mechanism 24C moves the mounting portion
14C to return in the movement direction -Y, the rotating shafts 73
and 83 are rotated, and when the brush portions 72 and 82 are
positioned at the retracted position (position indicated by the
double dotted-dashed line in FIG. 7) not contacting the printing
medium T, the rotating shaft 93 is moved upward along the long hole
95, and the pressing roller 91 is arranged at the retracted
position not contacting the printing medium T. When the brush
portions 72 and 82 are arranged at a retracted position, the task
of recovering the fluff or the like attached to the brush portions
72 and 82 may be performed.
[0131] Next, surface processing by a processing mechanism 26C and
the printing process with respect to a printing medium T subjected
to the surface processing and will be described.
[0132] When the mounting portion 14C moves relative to housing
portion 12C in a state in which the printing medium T is mounted,
the brush portion 72 of the removal member 71 contacts the printing
surface Sf of the printing medium T mounted on the mounting portion
14 according to the relative movement. By the brush bristles
inclined toward the upstream side in the transport direction F
sweeping away fluff or lint attached to the printing surface Sf
when the brush portion 72 contacts the printing surface Sf, the
attached materials are removed from the printing surface Sf
(removal step).
[0133] Continuing from the removal step, according to the mounting
portion 14C moving relative to the housing portion 12C, the brush
portion 82 of the pressing member 81 presses the printing surface
Sf with which the brush portion 72 is in contact (first pressing
step). According to the mounting portion 14C moving relative to the
housing portion 12C, the pressing roller 91 is driven and rotates
in the counter-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7
in a state in which the outer peripheral surface 92 is in contact
with the printing surface Sf (second pressing step).
[0134] After the second pressing step, similarly to the first
embodiment, the detector 25 detects the presence of an obstruction
on the printing surface Sf pressed by the brush portion 82 and the
pressing roller 91 (detection step). In a case in which the
detector 25 outputs detection results in which an obstruction is
not present, printing (textile printing) is performed by the liquid
ejecting portion 18 ejecting liquid with respect to the printing
surface Sf of the printing medium T that moves along with the
mounting portion 14C during return movement of the mounting portion
14C in the movement direction -Y (liquid ejecting step).
[0135] In a case in which the detector 25 outputs detection results
in which an obstruction is not present, the mounting portion 14C
stops further to the downstream side in the movement direction +Y
than the housing portion 12C. That is, in a case in which an
obstruction is detected, printing on the printing medium T is not
performed. The work of re-setting the printing medium T on the
mounting portion 14C that is stopped further to the downstream side
in the movement direction +Y than the housing portion 12 is
performed.
[0136] Next, the operation of the printing apparatus 11C configured
as above will be described.
[0137] The brush portion 72 that functions as a removal portion in
the embodiment does not easily lower in ability to remove attached
materials compared to a removal portion that removes attached
materials through adhesion. Since a force acts on the printing
medium T in the reverse direction to the movement direction +Y
through the brush portion 72 contacting the printing surface Sf, it
is possible to perform the pressing step in a state in which the
wrinkles in the printing medium T are straightened.
[0138] In the removal step, since the brush portion 72 in which the
brush bristles are inclined toward the upstream side in the
transport direction F has a form so as to rub the printing surface
Sf against the grain, the fibers or the like that configure the
printing medium T stand up, and the printing surface Sf is fluffed
up. The printing apparatus 11C prepares the direction of the fluff
or fibers of the printing medium T through the brush portion 82 in
which the brush bristles are inclined toward the downstream side in
the transport direction F which is the reverse direction to the
brush portion 72 in the first pressing step being in sliding
contact with the printing surface Sf, thereby suppressing fraying
on the printing surface Sf. In the second pressing step, by the
outer peripheral surface 92 of the pressing roller 91 pressing the
printing surface Sf in which the orientation of the fibers is
prepared, the printing surface Sf enters a flatter state.
[0139] In the first pressing step, since a force acts on the
printing medium T in the movement direction +Y through the brush
portion 82 contacting the printing surface Sf, there is concern of
the printing medium T sagging and wrinkles occurring on the
downstream side in the movement direction +Y of the brush portion
82. In the embodiment, sagging of the printing medium T is
suppressed by the pressing roller 91 rotating in the
counter-clockwise direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 7 while
pressing the printing medium T on the downstream side in the
movement direction +Y of the brush portion 82. Accordingly, it is
possible to suppress disturbances in the printing surface Sf
stemming from contact with the brush portion 82.
[0140] According to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the same
effects as (1), (2), (5), and (6) above, it is possible to obtain
the effects as outlined below.
[0141] (10) It is possible to arrange the orientation of the fluff
or fibers of the printing medium T by performing the first pressing
step with the brush portion 82.
[0142] Each embodiment may be modified as outlined below.
[0143] The mounting portion may be configured to be movable in the
vertical direction Z. According to the configuration, if the
mounting portion 14 may be moved downward in the vertical
direction, it is possible for the removal portion and the pressing
portion to not contact the printing medium T. Therefore, in a case
of adopting the configuration, movement of the removal portion and
the pressing portion may be not performed by the support
mechanism.
[0144] The detector 25 may be not provided in the processing
mechanism.
[0145] The removal portion may perform surface processing after a
separate pressing portion presses the printing surface Sf.
According to the configuration, it is possible to reduce the amount
of attached materials left behind by the removal portion coming in
contact the flattened printing surface Sf through pressing of the
pressing portion.
[0146] The removal portion may be a planar adhesive surface. Even
in this case, it is possible to remove the attached materials
attached to the printing surface Sf by the removal portion moving
in a direction approaching and a direction separating with respect
to the printing surface Sf. In a case adopting such a
configuration, when a pressing portion is arranged on both sides of
the removal portion in a processing direction that performed
surface processing (for example, direction along the movement
direction Y or the transport direction F) and the adhesive surface
separates from the printing surface Sf, it is preferable to
suppress floating of the printing medium. However, it is more
preferable to make the removal portion the outer peripheral surface
of the roller or a brush portion and make a configuration able to
continuously contact the printing surface Sf, since it is possible
to continuously perform surface processing.
[0147] The configuration may be changed to a so-called full
line-type liquid ejecting apparatus in which a fixed liquid
ejecting portion with a long form corresponding to the overall
width of the printing medium T is provided without providing
carriage 17 that moves with the liquid ejecting portion mounted.
The liquid ejecting portion in this case has a printing range
spanning the entire width of the printing medium T by arranging a
plurality of unit head portions in which nozzles that eject a
liquid are formed in parallel, or may have a printing range
spanning the entire width of the printing medium T by arranging
numerous nozzles in a single long head so as to span the entire
width of the printing medium T.
[0148] The printing medium T is not limited to a fabric, and may be
a plastic film, a plate material, or the like. That is, according
to the processing mechanism of the embodiment, it is possible to
also remove, for example, dust attached to a plastic film, or
sawdust attached to a plate material or the like, through contact
of the removal portion (for example, sliding contact or adhesion).
If using a configuration in which the mounting portion 14 and the
liquid ejecting portion move relative to one another, it is
possible to perform printing with respect to an inflexible printing
medium, and thus the printing medium may be a thick panel or board
without being limited to a sheet-like medium. The liquid used in
printing may be a fluid other than ink (including a liquid, or a
fluid body such as a liquid-like body or gel in functional
particles are dispersed or mixed in a liquid).
[0149] The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No.
2013-230033, filed Nov. 6, 2013 is expressly incorporated by
reference herein.
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